Holy Masses resume in Legazpi diocese

LEGAZPI CITY --- Daily Holy Masses in Catholic churches in Albay province have resumed starting Monday, May 25 while regular Sunday Masses will begin on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, a circular issued by the Diocese of Legazpi said.

Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon, in a circular issued to all 47 parishes in the province, laid out the gradual reopening of churches to celebrate daily and Sunday Masses starting Monday this week.

Baylon however said considering the current COVID cases prevailing in the Legazpi-Albay-Daraga (LEALDA) area, anticipated and Sunday Masses in parish churches and chapels in these areas are still suspended.

For the same reason, Masses are still suspended during Thursdays at St. Jude Thaddeus Church, on Wednesdays at Redemptorist Church, both in Legazpi City, and on first Fridays at the Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer in San Vicente, Tabaco City, until further notice.

The Albay prelate said the reopening of churches would strictly follow the protocols under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines issued by the national and provincial Interagency Task Forces (IATF) .

The Diocese’s circular stated that “All religious gathering for purposes of worship, services shall be permitted subject to GCQ guidelines which include: strict compliance of social distancing, hand washing, wearing of face masks, facial equipment and other minimum health standards.

“I enjoin all parishes to ensure the safety of our faithful by supporting our local government units’ efforts in observing social distancing as well as other hygienic protocols such as the use of thermal scanners, foot baths, alcohol dispensers, and face masks, in order to be ready for the reopening of our churches,” Baylon said

Religious organizations hosting the religious worship, services would monitor that these health guidelines are enforced.